22-year-old Virginia Johnson punches three police officers and a pregnant woman in series of unprovoked assaults

A 22-year-old woman faced Ipswich court for a series of unprovoked assaults against three police officers and a pregnant woman she had argued with on Facebook.

Virginia Johnson, 22, has faced Ipswich court after a series of assaults against three police officers and a pregnant woman in 2019.

The court heard on March 7 2019, Johnson approached a 19-year-old woman at Redbank Plains Shopping Centre after they had argued over Facebook.

Despite being aware the woman was four months pregnant, Johnson punched her in the face.

The woman fell backwards, hitting her head on the glass shop window behind her.

A member of the public intervened, and the woman was treated at the Goodna Medical Centre for bruising and swelling.

The CCTV footage later sent to the police showed that the assault appeared to be unprovoked.

On March 24, 2019, Senior Constable Saunders attended the scene of an incident that Johnson appeared to be involved with, in which 20 to 30 people were on the street arguing.

Senior Constable Saunders reported witnessing both physical and verbal abuse occurring between residents.

Johnson walked up to Senior Constable Saunders and punched her in the face, unprovoked, but backed down when she produced a taser.

The serious assault charge occurred on December 24, 2019, at 12.25am, when an argument broke out between Johnson’s family members at a funeral.

When the argument escalated to a physical altercation, Johnson’s mother called the police.

The police arrested four individuals, and were in the process of arresting Johnson’s sister when Johnson intervened.

She punched Constable George on the left side of her face with a closed fist, and at the same time elbowed another police officer in the face.

Constable George suffered immediate pain and discomfort, and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Johnson did not resist police when charges were laid and has not committed any other violent offences since.

On June 9, 2022, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, three counts of assaulting a police officer, one serious assault against a police officer causing bodily harm, one count of obstructing a police officer, and several related charges.

The court heard that all three officers were female and slim in stature, and that one of the officers is currently on PTSD leave.

The officer cited her general interactions within the Ipswich community as the reason she took this leave, but Magistrate David Shepherd noted it “seemed [Johnson’s actions] might have contributed in some part.”

Magistrate Shepherd further confirmed with Johnson that she still believed she was protecting her sister at the time.

“Do you understand that the police are doing their job – that it doesn’t look pretty all the time?” he asked.

“It just seemed around that time, in particular 2019, that your first response to anything seems to be quite a violent one.”

Johnson said she acted as she did because she was intoxicated, and that she has since reduced her alcohol intake.

The court heard that Johnson had an excellent education, a good work history, and minor criminal history.

She has dedicated significant efforts to her family, providing support for her sister’s children, and has an interest in pursuing aged care.

“You are a young person who has an extremely strong family value ethic,” said Magistrate Shepherd.

“You look after kids who are suffering from certain difficulties, you have a strong connection with your family, I would gather to suggest a strong protective streak.”

Johnson has engaged in a number of relevant courses with the Murri Court program since her offending, and expressed an interest in pursuing women’s yarning – which Magistrate Shepherd strongly encouraged.

“It provides you with a level of connection as well with others – so that you’re not just isolated within a small family group,” he said.

Magistrate Shepherd took into account “a number of competing features” – weighing up Johnson’s youth, rehabilitation prospects and relatively minor criminal history against the seriousness of her offending.

“Being affected by alcohol isn’t an excuse – as a matter of common sense or as a matter of law,” he said.

Johnson was ultimately sentenced to six months imprisonment for the serious assault and two months for each of the assaults on police.

Magistrate Shepherd ordered the sentences run concurrently and be suspended for 12 months.

Johnson was convicted and not further punished for evasion and creating a disturbance.

She was also sentenced to 12 months probation for two counts of failing to appear, stealing handcuffs, a breach of bail, and obstructing a police officer.

Convictions were recorded for the assault offences only.